Patient with Epilepsy Shares Her SJS Story

When Melissa Bryan sought help on an online epilepsy forum on Feb. 2, 2011, she had no idea that her epilepsy medication potentially gave her Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a serious reaction to medication that can cause severe skin burns.

There are a number of epilepsy medications which may cause SJS. SJS is a severe skin reaction that can turn deadly overnight. It starts as a rash, turns into blisters and then burns the skin from the inside out. Children as young as two have died from SJS, often because they’re given a medication for an ailment such as epilepsy.

“I have a new auto-immune disease called Stevens Johnson Syndrome,” wrote Bryan.

“No one has heard of it when it is mentioned. It’s deadly with no treatment. Mine is a reaction to antibiotics or possibly other meds. I have had three reactions (the first two undiagnosed). Symptoms: mouth full of ulcers, four ulcers on foot and legs, other body ulcers, very painful, starts with rapid breathing and I break out all over my trunk area … closing of throat, chills, fever, and many more symptoms. My eyes are impacted, too,” she shares.

“It is treated like you are a burn patient,” she continues. “Some of the photos are gruesome, however mine is mild and I pray it stays that way. I am still not healed and it has been since January 18. I am questioning how will this affect my epilepsy and my meds. I’ve been to the ER twice, and several different types of doctors. My neuro doesn’t want to change any of my meds because my seizures are under control, however he is very concerned.”

Doctors, like patients, depend on information provided by drug makers. The basis of many SJS lawsuits is that the warning labels, inserts and information aren’t adequate. With no mention of SJS as a real side effect, doctors like Bryan’s don’t take patients off of dangerous medications even after they’ve had numerous SJS outbreaks.

“Physicians seen: Neurologist, rheumatologist, internist, dermatologist, allergist, ophthalmologist. This is such a complicated disorder that it took so many docs, and I fell like a science experiment when I go in. They have never seen an actual person with this,” Bryan says.

Bryan’s experience isn’t unique. SJS is often misdiagnosed, which is unfortunate since quick action is crucial. SJS can easily lead to blindness and permanent disfigurement in survivors. It’s not unusual for an SJS sufferer to get sent home from the ER with the diagnosis of a harmless rash or poison oak.

Did You Get SJS From a Seizure Medication?

There are a number of seizure medications that can cause SJS. If you got SJS while taking a seizure medication, you might qualify for a legal claim. Discover more at the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation today. After you submit your information, an attorney will be in touch with you if you qualify for a free SJS claim review.